Monthly Archives: May 2018

A background check is among the most important parts of the hiring process. Other than past employment history, education, and other searches, the criminal background of your applicants is critical. It is tempting to go through a national criminal database in a bid to cut costs. This, however, comes at a significant price.

The database is only a tip of the iceberg when it comes to a criminal record check in Australia. An expert will gather information from different records to give you a complete picture of the applicants in terms of their criminal history or activities. Here are some of these important records:

Local and State Criminal Records

These records focus on places where the applicant currently lives or has lived in the past. Local criminal records are typically used on a broad search level. Authorities will provide you with information on misdemeanours, bench warrants and other crimes handled at local and state level courts.

Restricted and Prohibited Parties Records

These records contain a list of all people subject to some form of sanction because of certain crimes. Terrorists, narcotic traffickers, money launderers and illegal weapon traders are among the people found on this list. Other than increasing your risk of exposure to any criminal acts, the government might charge if you hire these individuals.

Sex Offender Records

The law requires registered sex offenders to let you know about their record, but most will not do so. Sex offender records will furnish you with this crucial information. Organisations working with children and vulnerable people will find this piece of information extremely useful.

As they say, ignorance is not a defence. Ignoring the need for a comprehensive criminal check in all the above records and more will leave your company exposed to various risks you would have otherwise prevented. The law, in this case, might not be on your side. You should, therefore, hire an expert to conduct your criminal background checks.

The U.S. concert industry is no stranger to South Korea’s brand of music, more commonly known as K-Pop, and yet artists from this Asian country are more successful now compared to the early 2000s.

For instance, a K-Pop boy band BTS has sold out around 15 arena concerts in Canada and the U.S. this year, which only serves as one good reason for the music genre’s growing popularity. That number is almost double the sold-out concerts in 2017 when BTS held nine concerts.

More Seating

From a business perspective, the surging popularity of K-Pop artists — and other international artists for that matter — only prompts the need for a better tiered seating system. Even solo artists have become a household name thanks to collaborating with well-known personalities in the U.S.

Eric Nam’s musical background, for instance, traces back to working relationships with Gallant and Timbaland. Now, the Atlanta-born musician is scheduled to perform at 16 shows in 15 cities. This will mark Nam’s largest K-Pop concert tour to date. While South Korean artists are more popular than ever, today’s artists should probably thank those who came to the U.S. before them, particularly all-female groups.

South Korean Charm

Girls’ Generation once performed at a sold-out concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2011. The popular girl group was instrumental in expanding the reach of K-Pop in the country, with the increasing rate of attendance in some music festivals that solely feature South Korean artists.

As a result, some industry members have acknowledged that their hard work seemed to have paid off. UTA global head of music David Zedeck said that sold-out concerts by BTS only indicate “the next wave in the evolution of K-Pop.”

Sold-out concerts are often used as the barometer of success for artists. Those who want to capitalize on this industry trend should now consider how to add more seats at venues, as K-Pop looks like it finally hit the right note in North America.

When furnishing your outdoor space, costs and style should not inhibit you. Getting creative will save you some bucks and add much value to your exterior décor. If you have some interior furniture you no longer use, you could remake it for outdoor use in three easy ways.

Give them Weatherproof Finishing

Outdoor protective coatings and sealants safeguard structures from chemical damage and extreme weather conditions. Before applying on furniture, scrape and sand the furniture to remove old paint and finishing. After this apply waterproof painting.

Finish off with a polyurethane exterior coating to create a barrier that will protect the furniture from the effects of ultraviolet rays, water, abrasion, and rust. If you are remodelling seats and tabletops, use brush-on polyurethane as it gives a thicker coat and makes the finish build up fast without drips. For chair spindles, use spray.

Change the Fabric

In case you want to replicate an indoor living room outside, you need to do certain things to recreate the atmosphere. While the patterns, colors, and textures are essential in coordinating the whole look, it takes more than that. Since indoor fabrics are subject to the elements, fading and mildew, you’ll have to change to substitute them. Get suitable weatherproof fabrics for outdoor use and transform your pillows, cushions and decorative covers to last for a long time.

Regular Maintenance

Indoor furniture may not last long when used outdoors, but if you maintain them properly, they can last for a long time. Recoat the furniture every year to give it a new look. During extreme weather conditions such as severe rain, don’t forget to bring pillows and cushions inside. Where possible, place awnings and furniture covers to maintain their appearance throughout the year.

With a Section 1031 Exchange, also commonly known as a like-kind exchange, you have the chance to defer your property sale taxes by exchanging your investment property for someone else’s property that’s similar to yours.

According to IRS rules, the property you got in exchange would be considered as a continuation of the investment property you exchanged. This results in the IRS postponing your gains taxes, which means that you defer paying taxes on the profit you obtained from the exchange, but get to own new property.

Basic Example of a 1031 Exchange

Let’s say you traded a rental home that has an adjusted basis of $300,000 for another investment property. So both properties’ fair market value is $600,000. And since the basis of your new property, which is $300,000, is equal to your old property, there’s no recognized gain for the transaction.

To benefit from a 1031 exchange, the IRS states that you might only trade property for another property similar to yours, called “like-kind” properties. Investment expert 1031 Exchange Place says that 1031 exchange properties have a similar character or nature, even if they have varying qualities or grades.

Generally speaking, all investment properties in the U.S. are deemed like-kind with other properties in the U.S., regardless of location or type. For instance, an office building in Utah is like-kind to a rental building in San Francisco.

What’s Not Covered

If you continue trading an investment property for another with the same value, you won’t ever recognize gains that you would need to pay taxes on. However, if you sell your exchanged property to obtain cash, your original deferred gains, along with any extra gains would be deemed taxable by the IRS, because the succeeding transaction, involving cash, won’t be covered under the IRS’ 1031 exchange rules.

By entering into a 1031 exchange, you could trade properties to raise or reduce your exposure to specific property sectors, while also deferring capitals gains taxes until such time that you sell your properties for cash.

Understanding the game of property investment and the rules set forth by the IRS, 1031 exchanges are an excellent way to rebalance your property investment portfolio.

Since a car is just a machine, there is always a chance that its performance degrades over time. While this is expected, it can be frustrating, especially when it happens less than five years after you bought it. Cars, after all, do not come cheap.

Below are four tips that a car owner can do to make sure that their automobile constantly performs well:

Get the best parts available

One of the most important ways to have better car performance is by having good parts. Think of a car as an organism that will fail if one of the parts is either missing or defective. Just one low part can spell the difference between life and death of the car owner.

Car parts usually vary depending on the manufacturer. If you have a Nissan car, look for Nissan parts in Auckland you can utilize.

Always check the brakes and tyres before you drive

It would not hurt to check your brakes and tyres every time you head out. These are usually the parts that cause accidents. Verifying if they are in good condition is a must for everyone with a car.

Do frequent car maintenance

Car maintenance ensures that the car does not have any issues. The best time frame between maintenance checks is three months. Check in with a trusted local car repair and maintenance service.

Ensure proper lubrication

Cars need proper lubrication regularly. Since there are moving parts inside the car, they will be bumping into each other, creating friction. To minimize the heat that will be produced, lubricant must be applied to these parts.

The performance of a car can affect your safety and efficiency as a person. By doing the tips outlined above, you will be able to make sure the automobile is at its optimal performance.

It is not an understatement to say that the kitchen is the most important part of the house. The kitchen is where you will be cooking your food on a daily basis. Sometimes, it is even where people eat. It is also essential as most homebuyers usually look at the kitchen and decide whether it is worth purchasing. These are four ways homeowners can have the kitchen of their dreams.

Use composite stone for the benchtop

There are many choices out there as to what material to use for the benchtop. Nothing can beat a composite stone. A bench made of composite stone looks marvellous, with a gleaming smooth surface that every visitor will envy.

It also has a classic look about it, which means it would still be amazing even forty years from now. Know the suppliers that can provide you with composite stone benchtops for your kitchen.

There are certainly many ways to manage a warehouse, depending on the nature of the supply chain. But all warehouses need to apply a certain set of principles to become successful. In the same manner, there are ways a warehouse manager can get things wrong.

Here are four of them.

Poor shelving system

One of the most important components when it comes to a warehouse is its shelving system. Your shelves need to be able to handle your inventory efficiently. If they cannot, then you will always have damaged stock, which can dent your profits badly.

Keeping excess inventory

Warehouses around the world still make the mistake of holding too much stock, despite all the information on the benefits of inventory reduction. While it is understandable to want to take advantage of bulk quantity discounts, having more inventory than you can handle messes up your operations.

So resist the temptation making mammoth purchases even if the deal seems too good to turn down.

Holding on to paper-based workflows

Many warehouses doggedly cling to outdated paper processes instead of making the transition to technology that is more efficient. If you are that person, then this is the time to change. No, your logistics and warehouse operations are not too small to be kept on simple paperwork.

What you are actually doing by sticking to paperwork is bogging your operations down.

Failure to tackle health risks

You may think that your warehouse is safe just because it is tidy, but this is not necessarily so. You need to take care of both obvious and hidden health hazards in the warehouse. One accident could prove disastrous to the entire company.

A huge responsibility to you as a warehouse manager is to always look for ways to improve your processes in the warehouse. That calls for vigilance, so you rectify any mistakes the moment you notice them.

When someone is hoping to make an investment, it is important for them to understand all the detail of the transactions. This includes the level of risk, investment term and any charges or penalties that could be applied.

People can make independent investments, take professional advice from an adviser or use an introducer, like Amyma, to find investments such as capital bonds. They will get differing levels of support in each case and they should check the liability level of anyone that they are involved with so they know who is accountable in case of difficulty.

How does it work?

Capital bonds are where a company raises money by seeking investors. An investor buys a portion of the required amount with a view to getting more than their investment back at a later date or a regular income based on interest.

Most investment plans require a minimum investment of £5,000 or more.

Risk

It is important to realise that bonds are issued and returned and discussed on the basis of expected returns. There is no guarantee of performance and there is always a risk associated with investment. Different types of bonds carry different risks. This is based on factors like the reputation of the company, liquidity and the anticipated length of the investment.

Fixed terms

Most investments involving capital bonds usually involve a minimum five-year investment period. If someone wants to invest for a shorter time than this, they may be better off saving cash. Equally, if someone has more time, they can probably make an even longer investment for different returns. If someone thinks they might need access to their money within a five-year period, then an investment in capital bonds might not be for them.

Charges and penalties

Charges that are applied to investments can be made by a broker or introducer. Often though, their fees are taken into account when the investment figures are being calculated so there is no separate fee to pay.

Some investments in capital bonds will include an early exit penalty. This is to discourage investors from withdrawing. It also protects the long-term financial strategy of the investment company and therefore the interests of their other investors.

Experts believe that a $315 million revenue target from exports of fresh produce will happen by 2020. In the previous year, exported products rose 2 per cent to $252 million based on IHS Global Trade Atlas data.

Commercial and industrial fabric buildings will become more necessary for the vegetable export trade, as overseas shipments are on track to increase over the next two years.

Comparing Export Growth

Michael Coote, Ausveg national manager for export development, said that the forecast revenue growth for vegetable exports shouldn’t be compared with fruit exports. The comparison can be conflicted since exported vegetables generate a smaller revenue than fruits due to a variety of reasons. For instance, some types of fruits fetch for higher prices due to their seasonal production, unlike vegetables that can be produced year-round.

Market reach also comes into play. Many fruit exporters have successfully shipped products to China, while most vegetable shippers are yet to gain access to this country. Despite their differences, the common denominator between them involves several opportunities to access global export markets.

New Guidelines

Australian produce has become in demand worldwide that the government and horticulture industry players worked together on the first online market guide for exporters. The new guidelines are a collaborative effort led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

It aims to simplify the process of exporting fruits and vegetables to the Middle East and Asia. This would be important to sustain the growth of the industry, as total exports in 2017 reached $2.11 billion, according to the IHS Global Trade Atlas data.

Whether you are in the vegetable export business or not, there’s no doubt the rising shipments require efficient storage solutions. Many industrial storage systems today cater to different types of fresh produce.

Wise investors know that they should diversify their portfolio if they want to make the most of their available funds. This protects their assets even if one industry collapses. What you should also remember is that the tide can be in your favor now, but one wrong move and you could lose everything.

Do the following to protect your assets now and for the future:

Update Your Estate Plan

Whether you have already planned your estate before or this is the first time you are doing it, you need to know certain terminologies and understand why you are doing what you are doing. Even skilled businessmen sometimes go to an estate planning lawyer not understanding what they need to sign, and that’s one big mistake on your part. Ask your estate planning lawyer in Utah about every step of the process and leave notes to refresh your mind later on.

Secure Your Investments

You may have been investing in a bit of bitcoin along with your other sources of funds, and this poses a unique situation after your death. The allure of cryptocurrencies is their ability to fly under the radar. Some individuals do not even tell their family that they dabble in cryptocurrencies. Unlike bank statements that reach your family at the time of your death, your crypto assets will remain hidden unless you have documented your ownership and left the password to your beneficiaries.

Invest in People

This right here is important because you cannot take your wealth with you in the afterlife. The way you treat people, however, will impact the way people would treat your family in return. If you treat people fairly, especially everyone in a blended or nuclear family, you are hopefully minimizing conflicts that arise from the division of your estate in the future.

You worked hard to make a name for yourself. Don’t let the assets you’ve acquired go to waste.

Many parents look for interesting ways to hang out with their children. A lot of kids today can have fun in the comfort of their homes with video games and mobile games, and parents want in on the fun and by taking their children outdoors. For many reasons, one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities […]

Not all beers are created equal. The main difference is usually in the formula that translates to the bitterness of the beer. Hops bring the bitterness and aroma into the beer. Galaxy hops are among the most popular varieties of hops. It is used in craft beers, especially for pale ales and IPAs, fruit beers, wheat beers, and […]

Today’s online dating apps change the way people meet and connect with others. However, the way it works is not as simple as looking through hundreds of potential matches. There are a lot of algorithms and artificial intelligence used in modern online dating. These algorithms connect different social media accounts to vouch for a person. Because […]

A positive learning environment in schools sets the tone for students’ success. When children feel valued and respected, they are more likely to learn and perform better not just in school but also in life. There are many ways to create a positive learning environment, but it all boils down to these two principles: safety […]

A swimming pool is a fun addition to any property. However, if you have kids in the house, the pool area could be a source of hazard as well. To protect children from accident or injury, here are some measures you can put in place around your pool area. Have a Pool Safety Cover Talk […]

It’s easy to tell when your air conditioning system requires some fixing. Your unit will most likely send you warnings before breaking down. These signs will help you know when there’s an issue brewing with your system. Strange Sounds Grating, squealing, and grinding noises from your AC are a sign that you need to call an air […]

Keen to escape the bludgeoning costs of owning a new car, Americans are increasingly driving older cars. In fact, a recent survey indicates that most of the cars on American roads are about 11.5 years old. Such developments spell good news for car repair shops and parts makers. Vehicles these old require more in the […]

Most babies do not start getting their first teeth until they are at least six months old. Once these teeth start to come through it is important to look after their dental health. A first visit to the dentist is recommended early on in order to ensure that any teeth and the gums are in […]

It goes without saying that a person should look after their oral health, yet being unhappy with the appearance of teeth can mean they go without smiling. The look of someone’s teeth has an impact on how they feel about their smile, and themselves, when they look in the mirror. Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable when […]

Welding is a great way to form a specific part used in various machinery and vehicles. Welding companies such as Advantage Manufacturing Ltd. know that welding requires unique skills. To understand the process behind it, one must know its different varieties. Thus, here are a few of the most common types of welding in the […]

News

Fun Family Outdoor Time with BikingMany parents look for interesting ways to hang out with their children. A lot of kids today can have fun in the comfort of their homes with video games and mobile games, and parents want in on the fun and by taking their children outdoors. For many reasons, one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities The post Fun Family Outdoor Time with Biking appeared first on Ashworth Publishing.

Harnessing the Bitterness of Beer with Hops Not all beers are created equal. The main difference is usually in the formula that translates to the bitterness of the beer. Hops bring the bitterness and aroma into the beer. Galaxy hops are among the most popular varieties of hops. It is used in craft beers, especially for pale ales and IPAs, fruit beers, wheat beers, and The post Harnessing the Bitterness of Beer with Hops appeared first on Ashworth Publishing.

Modern Dating Apps Depend on Online InformationToday’s online dating apps change the way people meet and connect with others. However, the way it works is not as simple as looking through hundreds of potential matches. There are a lot of algorithms and artificial intelligence used in modern online dating. These algorithms connect different social media accounts to vouch for a person. Because The post Modern Dating Apps Depend on Online Information appeared first on Ashworth Publishing.

How to Create and Maintain a Positive Learning EnvironmentA positive learning environment in schools sets the tone for students’ success. When children feel valued and respected, they are more likely to learn and perform better not just in school but also in life. There are many ways to create a positive learning environment, but it all boils down to these two principles: safety The post How to Create and Maintain a Positive Learning Environment appeared first on Ashworth Publishing.

How to Build a Pool That’s Safe for KidsA swimming pool is a fun addition to any property. However, if you have kids in the house, the pool area could be a source of hazard as well. To protect children from accident or injury, here are some measures you can put in place around your pool area. Have a Pool Safety Cover Talk The post How to Build a Pool That’s Safe for Kids appeared first on Ashworth Publishing.